Mason Lawson walked into the dining room and saw three dishes and a soup, neatly arranged on the table.

Although they were far from as visually appealing as Mrs. Linton’s cooking, they were at least passable.

Most importantly, he hadn’t expected her to actually follow through on the casual, offhand answer he’d given her.

’There’s a reason this woman was played so miserably by Mrs. Lawson’s side of the family,’ Mason Lawson thought to himself. ’She’s too naive!’

He feigned confusion and asked, "Why the sudden urge to cook for me today? Is there something you need to ask me?"

After speaking, he sat at the head of the table, and Eve Vaughn bustled about like a little maid, serving him rice and soup.

"Alright, that’s enough."

Mason Lawson grabbed her arm and had her sit down.

Eve Vaughn shook her head. "I’m not tired, Mason."

Mason Lawson said expressionlessly, "It’s because you’re hovering and it’s making me dizzy."

"..."

That was awkward!

Eve Vaughn had no choice but to sit down, nervously wringing her hands as she looked at him expectantly.

’I wonder if he’ll like it? It’s the first time I’ve cooked a meal like this for him.’

However, Mrs. Linton had been there to guide her the whole time, and she’d even tasted it beforehand.

’It can’t be that bad, surely.’

Mason Lawson tried a spoonful of the West Lake Beef Soup, then took a bite of the steamed sea bass. His chewing was elegant and slow.

Eve Vaughn watched him with her big, sparkling eyes and asked, "How does it taste?"

"It’s barely edible."

Mason Lawson gave his honest assessment.

Eve Vaughn said, a little deflated, "Hey, this is my first time making such a complex meal! For a first try, this is already pretty good! I was even thinking that if you liked it, I would cook for you every day from now on!"

Mason Lawson raised an eyebrow. "Every day?"

"Yeah!" Eve Vaughn explained earnestly, "Lawyer Spencer already told me the truth. It was you, Mason, who had him take my case. Otherwise, why would a lawyer of his standing ever agree to represent me?"

Mason Lawson nodded in understanding. "Just for that?"

Eve Vaughn froze for a moment, seemingly trying to recall all the little things from the recent past. She said, "It’s more than that. There was the time you took me in when I was homeless in the rain. And in the bar, when you chased away that annoying pest, Charlotte Vaughn..."

Mason Lawson followed her line of thought and asked, "So, you plan to repay me with a meal that’s mediocre in color, aroma, and taste?"

"Er..."

Eve Vaughn was embarrassed all over again.

’When it comes to cooking, isn’t it the thought that counts?’

Just then, Mason Lawson suddenly asked, "What happened to your hand?"

Eve Vaughn started, only then noticing the few red blisters on the back of her hand.

She pouted sullenly and said, "I got splattered by oil while I was cooking. But it’s fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore." Mason Lawson gazed at the obvious marks on the young woman’s fair, delicate skin, and a flash of pity crossed his dark, bottomless eyes.

He said lightly, "Then in the future, don’t do things you’re not good at."

With that, he picked up the bowl in front of him and said, "Let’s eat."

Eve Vaughn stole a glance at him. Only after seeing him start to eat did she pick up her own chopsticks.

Even though she felt her first attempt at so many dishes was quite a success, Mason Lawson didn’t seem very satisfied.

’I’ll have to find some other way to repay him!’

Eve Vaughn suddenly felt that a debt of gratitude was truly the hardest thing in the world to repay.

That evening, after returning to her room, she received a call from her best friend.

Mia Kendall said mysteriously, "Eric Kendall just came looking for me, asking for your phone number. I was thinking, you two don’t even know each other that well, aside from running into him when you come over to my place."

Eve Vaughn asked in surprise, "Him? He wanted my number? Did he say what for?"

"He didn’t say anything, just told me to give him your contact info."

Mia Kendall ranted indignantly, "Of course I wouldn’t give him your number! A rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its own burrow. I can let it slide when he fools around with other women, but now he’s actually targeting my best friend! I laid into him and sent him packing!"

Eve Vaughn covered her mouth and laughed. "Good for you!"

She also felt that someone like Eric Kendall was just asking for it.

Mia Kendall added a reminder, "Oh, right, you should be careful lately. While that guy Eric Kendall has never forced a good person into a bad situation, he’s an expert at love-bombing! If he starts harassing you, you have to tell me. I’ll come rescue you!"

Eve Vaughn couldn’t figure it out either. What on earth did Eric Kendall want with her phone number?

...

The next morning, as Eve Vaughn was heading to school, a silver Porsche screeched to a halt right in front of her just as she reached the school gate.

Eve Vaughn jumped, subconsciously taking a few steps back. She was on the verge of cursing out the moronic driver!

But to her surprise, the person who got out of the car was Eric Kendall.

Eve Vaughn remembered what Mia Kendall had said last night and suddenly grew worried. ’Don’t tell me this Eric Kendall guy really does fall for every person he sees and will try to make a move on anyone?’

She watched him warily, her face a mask of disgust.

As if sensing her thoughts, Eric Kendall put on a nonchalant air and said, "Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not so desperate that I’d poach my buddy’s girl! I came to find you today because there’s something I need to discuss with you."

Eve Vaughn was clearly suspicious. "Do we... have anything in common to discuss? Young Mr. Kendall, please. Don’t embarrass yourself with such an ancient pickup line."

’Mia Kendall’s friends are just as annoying as she is!’ Eric Kendall grumbled internally.

He forced a smile and explained patiently, "Anything involving Mason is our common interest, wouldn’t you say? His 29th birthday is next week. Aren’t you going to do something for him?"

Eve Vaughn had been about to ignore him and walk straight into the school.

But when she heard him say that, she stopped in her tracks.

’Mason Lawson’s birthday?’

Just yesterday, she had been agonizing over how to thank Mason Lawson.

’And now, hasn’t an opportunity just presented itself?’